Google Tests Solar Drones

After building several prototype transceivers at the spaceport last summer, Google is testing them with multiple drones in an experiment with delivering 5G wireless Internet access.

by Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.
/
February 2, 2016

Spaceport America, Sierra County, New Mexico

(TNS) -- A recent report in The Guardian discloses that Internet giant Google is testing solar-powered drones at Spaceport America.

The tests aim to develop a long-flight drone that can stay aloft for extended periods to deliver connectivity to remote areas of the world, according to a report in The Guardian.

According to the news site, Google built several prototype transceivers at the spaceport last summer and is testing them with multiple drones, according to documents obtained under public records laws. The company is using 15,000 square feet of vacant Virgin Galactic hangar space and has constructed an operations center at the facility.

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The effort is part of a secretive project codenamed SkyBender, The Guardian reported.

Based out of the spaceport north of Las Cruces in Sierra County, Project SkyBender is using drones to experiment with millimeter-wave radio transmissions, one of the technologies that could underpin next generation 5G wireless Internet access.